Sources checked
Fix the scope before moving soil
Site setup starts with a confirmed proposal: the home category, intended use, approved location, dimensions, support requirements and services. A parking pad by itself does not establish an approved dwelling site. Ask which applications, inspections and professional designs apply to the actual project, and which must be completed before installation.
Place the home, vehicle access, parking, outdoor use, drainage and utility routes on the same site drawing. Include maintenance and emergency access. Keep wastewater disposal areas and any required reserve area clear of structures, driveways and future landscaping that would conflict with the approved design.
Make responsibilities visible
| Work package | Confirm before ordering | Record at handover |
|---|---|---|
| Access and delivery | Gate, turning space, load-bearing approach | As-built access and damage responsibilities |
| Support or foundation | Design for the home and ground conditions | Inspection and installation records |
| Electrical connection | Capacity, routing and accepted equipment | Commissioning and inspection documents |
| Water | Supply, pressure, protection and treatment | Valves, testing and maintenance instructions |
| Wastewater | Approved system and connection positions | Installation approval and service information |
| Drainage | Runoff route, finished levels and erosion control | Final grading and maintenance responsibilities |
Coordinate hookup positions with the actual house drawing. A service trench on the wrong side can create avoidable cost and an awkward permanent arrangement.
Sequence the work around access
Investigate the site, resolve approvals and design the services first. Locate buried utilities using the relevant local process; in the U.S., contact 811 before digging and discuss the treatment of private lines. Complete access and support work with inspection requirements in mind. Arrange service trenches so delivery vehicles do not destroy unfinished work.
A delivery needs to cross the planned water trench. The site team can revise the sequence, temporarily protect the crossing or use another approved route. Choosing that solution before excavation is easier than improvising while a loaded transporter waits at the gate.
Treat commissioning as part of the project
Check leveling and support, drainage, service connections, equipment operation and accessible shutoffs with the responsible installers. Save photographs of buried work and an as-built service sketch. Label valves, circuits and equipment, and keep manuals and warranty responsibilities together.
Create a short unresolved-items list with a responsible person and target date. Plan ongoing tasks such as filter changes, tank inspection, vegetation management and seasonal protection. A complete site handover explains how the home can be used and maintained, rather than simply marking delivery as finished.
Sources & further reading
Official guidance and original source material used for the factual points in this guide. Planning examples and worksheets are our own illustrations.
- USDA NRCS: Web Soil Survey
- FEMA: Access to official flood maps
- EPA: Types of septic systems
- Oregon State University Extension: Creating a Land Steward property management plan
- PHMSA: Contact 811 before digging
- EPA: How to care for your septic system
Checked 8 October 2026. Location-specific rules, availability and product specifications can change. Suggest a correction.